Facing the Ultimate Loss: Coping with the Death of a Child

by Susan Wengerhoff Davidson, Robert J. Marx, Susan Davidson

Book Overview

With understanding and wisdom, Robert J. Marx and Susan Davidson explore the journey we embark on after the ultimate loss-the death of a child. The authors delve into the difficult emotions parents... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1891400991
• ISBN13: 9781891400995
• Release Date: December 2003
• Publisher: Champion Press (WI)
• Length: 218 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.7" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

one of the better ones

I have read many books after losing my wonderfull 19 yr. old son, Robert. This book talks personnaly to the grieving parent. I could relate to so many of the things said by the parents in this book. Sometimes its only one sentence that touches your soul. This truly is a different severity of grief and the author realizes this.

Wisdom and Empathy

"I have come to realize in a new way that every loss is unique, and that loss leaves no one unmarked. I can understand what it means to lose a lifetime partner, or even to lose a beloved pet. They are all losses - real losses." Robert J. Marx and Susan Wengerhoff Davidson have helped parents deal with the loss of a child. They understand the variety of ways people mourn and also describe the many ways parents deal with grief. How do you end the pain of loss when you want to remember the life of your child? How do you speak to someone who has lost a part of themselves? What do parents feel as they go through the unpredictable nature of grief? How do hurting parents relate to each other at such a difficult time in their lives? The authors understand the loss of a child on a deep level and show great compassion in their poetic and sensitive writing style. At times the writing is a friend, understanding your pain and at time the writing is a counselor guiding you through a stage where you may experience a complete change in perspective. If you are buying this book for yourself, I want you to know that this book is very comforting and if you read a chapter at a time you may find it helps you to work through your overwhelming feelings. You will come to realize that so many parents have gone through the experience and there are stories that you will be able to relate to that deal with all ages and situations. Through this process, you may feel that finally someone understands and you may also come to understand how people around you are struggling to express their love and sadness. If you know someone who has lost a child and are a friend or relative, then this book will explain the variety of religious beliefs and how people view death. There are ideas on how to be a compassionate listener and how to support your friends or relatives even when you are also hurting. I can also recommend this book to: Medical Professionals Teachers Counselors Psychiatrists Clergy Social Workers Traumatologists Facing the Ultimate Loss will be meaningful to anyone who has experienced loss because so many forms of loss all leave their indelible imprint on our hearts. When you try to forget your loss it can feel as if a part of you is dying, so this book can help you balance your need to remember with a reduction in pain and it can also help you to honor the memory of your child. The beauty in this book left me crying, page after page. It was truly a healing journey and it helped me to understand loss from a variety of perspectives. I think if you read the Epilogue first, it will make the book even more meaningful. ~The Rebecca Review

One of the best books on the subject

One of the greatest losses that anyone can suffer through is the death of a spouse, parent, or child. "Facing the Ultimate Loss" discusses the difficulties of dealing with the death of your child. The purpose of the book is to try to help the grieving move through such a loss and start regaining their life. It is also a great reference for those who know someone going through such grief and want to understand it better so they can help. The book focuses on the problems faced by the bereaved. I appreciate the fact that the authors recognize that everyone has a different way of expressing grief. Some get angry, some depressed, some reach to religion, some back away from it. And even within these broad categories there are many, many differences in religious tradition and cultural differences. But even through all of these differences there are some feelings that everyone shares. For example, everyone obviously feels a sense of loss and desolation. Everyone also has to learn to deal with who they are, now that part of them is gone and part of the future they planned together will never come to pass. The authors also point out that there will be days that are much worse than others. For example, two of the worst days that may carry on for years before getting better are the anniversary of the loss and the child's birthday. Of course there are also differences depending on how old the child was when it died. As a result, the authors have included sections on the stillborn, infant/toddler, younger child, adolescent, and adult child."Facing the Ultimate Loss" is required reading for anyone with a friend dealing with the death of a child. For those experiencing the loss it would be most appropriate some time after the loss when they are seeking to start putting their life back together again. Either way, it is a highly recommended read.

a book to lighten your grief

FACING THE ULTIMATE LOSS: Coping with the Death of a Child is a remarkable sojourn in the land of broken hearts & spirits. Where the soul of a parent howls with unremitting anguish, & where healing & some peace comes with the honoring & remembering of the gift of that youngster.Rebeccasreads highly recommends this quietly powerful, easily read, & ultimately healing book. It will change your life. Certainly for those whose friends are FACING THE ULTIMATE LOSS & for those staring it in the face.

Helping me face the loss of my son

Having lost my only son, I found this book to be of great comfort to me. Both authors have treated this saddest of subjects (i.e. the loss of a child) with insightful compassion, sensitivity, hope and dignity. I find this book to be of tremendous help to me, as I sort out my thoughts and feelings. I can only say, I hope that anyone who has lost a child will read this book.